If you're looking for a truly affordable DSLR, the EOS Rebel T6 is Canon's newest budget camera.
We might throw around the word budget a lot, but generally its in the context of the item/market we're talking about. In this case though, budget really means budget, as the 18 Megapixel T6 is being offered with an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens for $550. The T6 is a moderate upgrade from the previous Canon T5, which is still being sold online for $400. Image quality in both still images and video will be mostly the same, but you do get a much higher resolution LCD on the back that will help with focusing for video (though it's fixed in place). Video frame rates are also the same, up to a maximum of 1080p and 30fps, and 60fps at 720p.
Here's a first look from B&H:
And one from Canon:
Video is no longer available: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPnuPfcVbh8
And the specs:
- 18MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
- DIGIC 4+ Image Processor
- 3.0" 920k-Dot LCD Monitor
- 1920 x 1080p / 29.97 fps (46 Mbps) / 23.98 fps (46 Mbps)
- 1280 x 720p / 59.94 fps (46 Mbps)
- 640 x 480p / 29.97 fps (11 Mbps)
- Max Clip Length: 30 Minutes
- 9-Point AF with Center Cross-Type Point
- ISO 100-6400 (Extended Mode: 100-12800)
- Shutter: 3 - 1/4000 sec
- 3 fps Continuous Still Image Shooting
- Built-In Wi-Fi with NFC
- 1 SD, SDHC, SDXC Card Slot
- Scene Intelligent Auto Mode
- Basic+ and Creative Auto Modes
- Ports: 2.5mm Sub-mini (2-Ring), HDMI C (Mini), Mini-USB, USB 2.0
- Weight: 17.1 oz / 485 g
- Availability: April
- Price: $550 with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6, $750 with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 & 75-300mm f/4-5.6
This is an entry-level DSLR through and through, and there are certainly better-performing cameras in the Canon lineup as far as low-light sensitivity and maximum resolution (many of the low-end cameras are 24 Megapixels vs 18 Megapixels on this one). As far as video is concerned, however, you're not really going to see much of a difference between all of these Canon models under $1,000, so it's really more about what features you want and what price you want to pay. A few of the slightly more expensive cameras are a little better in low-light, but this camera does have some features others may not have, like WiFi and Near Field Communication (NFC), which lets you share images to a linked mobile device for instant posting online.
The T6 is being offered with the base lens which should take care of most situations, but if you really want to get close-up at longer distances, there are packages with a longer 75-300mm lens, which will take care of everything else. These aren't the best video lenses, and there's no video autofocus with this camera, but again, this is about cheap, not necessarily the highest quality. You may very well find some some better values with other companies, but if you're looking for something that's easy to use and gives great color right out of the gate, this is as entry-level as it gets from Canon.
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Your Comment
18 Comments
Maybe one day we'll see a good update to the Rebel series.
March 11, 2016 at 5:44AM
so the six year old panasonic gh2 has better specs and video settings than this... c'mon Canon...
March 11, 2016 at 7:58AM
I actually made a review and extensive testing with this camera.
But back in my days, the camera was called t3i.
March 11, 2016 at 9:56AM
Nope it was the t3, the t3i is a much better specs camera.
March 11, 2016 at 10:04AM
Useless, a used 550d (t2i) is better
March 11, 2016 at 10:05AM, Edited March 11, 10:05AM
"Image quality in both still images and video will be mostly the same" - deja vu, Canon
March 11, 2016 at 11:34AM
A 550D with wireless.
March 11, 2016 at 12:40PM
oh canon canon... this is a 70d without the dualpixel af...
March 11, 2016 at 2:48PM
You just keep digging that grave, Canon.
Seriously, there's no reason to shoot video on their cameras anymore.
March 11, 2016 at 2:54PM
Articles like this one are troll bait for the Sony fans to shove spec comparisons and hyperbolic predictions about Canon's demise down everyone's throat. I don't understand what motivates these people, you can't read one article about a Canon product without theses ghouls jumping out of the bushes and shouting their fucking nonsense about how they perceive Canon as not being innovative enough for their cheap ass budgets. It's a $600 camera for pete's sake. If you don't like Canon, just ignore this article, you aren't educating anyone. Like I can't see that the camera doesn't do 4k, I need you to tell me that? I bet this takes wayyy better photos than the A7SII. For some people, that's exactly what they are looking for. Stop shoving your opinion about what you like in a camera on everyone. This is clearly a step up from the t3i in many ways.
March 11, 2016 at 3:19PM
I disagree
Here's why.
Canon had a chance to be part of something big, but instead they've given us "barely" an update in 6 years. Its taken outside DIY vendors to write piggyback software to provide real functional upgrades.
Canon is too old to grow - which is too bad.
(I wonder how many young canon engineers secretly work on the magic lantern project)
March 11, 2016 at 6:56PM
The fixed screen is a huge drawback for both video and stills. It's fine if you're on a tripod, but any unique angles are difficult to get and see what you're doing. I have a t3i and it is a perfect starter camera. Inexpensive with enough features to start building film skills.
March 11, 2016 at 9:09PM
It is a 600 dollar camera, that has less specs than most of its competitors... Canon won't go bankrupt anytime soon, nor do I hope this, but it is clear they stayed far away from any possible innovation. Their 600 dollar camera has almost the same specs as their similar priced cameras from 2010, while most companies already advances leaps and bounds... cars also get compared to other brands, cameras are no different...
March 12, 2016 at 3:53AM
Your opinion that asks for others to not submit their opinion smells.
I submitted my opinion and included what I think is an "educational" response.
Your opinion to just bury your head in the sand and give Canon a passing grade on a failed project helps no one.
March 12, 2016 at 10:40AM
How can you even form an opinion of a product you have not used? All I hear is that Canon is shitty because it doesn't live up to Sony. Why not just buy Sony and be done with it. It's because secretly, you want a Canon product with Sony specs. Well, you can't have it. I want an Arri product with Red specs, for the price of a Scarlett W. Arri is cheating me by not giving me what I want!
March 14, 2016 at 10:55AM
Even Nikon does better with their low end crap than this.
March 12, 2016 at 11:34PM
It's a great camera. Hope i could afford it in near future.
March 12, 2016 at 9:11AM, Edited March 12, 9:11AM
Canon Introduces The New T6-WhoGives-ashiet
It's clear that Canon's apathy now appears intentional. And Canon's goodwill has eroded within the enthusiast segment and even parts of its pro circles. The moms and dads who buy the underspecced, 2010-era relics at Costco are the last group really hanging on. They're also the type to keep the kit lens in the camera, never realizing what's it's actually capable of.
I don't really detect any fanboyism in these comments. Any of us in the game for a few years or more have probably owned several Canon video and photo cameras (and we are more brand agnostic than outsiders think).
What I do detect is real disappointment that's so old it feel more like neglect.
It's not just Sony (though they are inexplicably fighting and innovating like a 2000's-era Samsung), it's every other brand. I'd literally go through a list of every company that makes video cameras or cameras that shoot video before recommending a Canon (lenses are a different story).
This being "NoFilmSchool," why isn't the Blackmagic Pocket not talked about all the time? Next to shooting on 8mm or 16mm film, it's the best camera to learn on. It's cheap and once you finally know what you're doing, the results are astounding. I learned more on that camera than every other camera I've owned, combined. It was a bloody, painful experience, but that's the kind yoinreally learn from. I think that camera has potential for being the most "classic" video machine of our age, flaws and all.
March 12, 2016 at 10:36AM, Edited March 12, 10:36AM